New evidence has emerged which further clarifies a growing bank of research that confirms treating rosacea is far more than a skin-deep issue.
The new research has found that the use of antidepressants, which help regulate emotions such as anxiety and stress, can have a directly positive effect on reducing the symptoms of rosacea, namely facial flushing and skin sensitivity.
The new study, published in the June 2026 edition of JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) Dermatology, looked at the effects of a particular antidepressant on regulating vascular dysfunction, neurogenic inflammation and stress.
Antidepressants can generally alleviate underlying anxiety levels, which if raised can trigger a secondary reaction in the skin which is the root cause of rosacea.
However, a certain group of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, help to specifically target overactive nerve pathways and blood vessel dilation by reducing the abnormal constriction and dilation of blood vessels which causes rosacea-linked flushing as well as dampening the release of inflammatory neurotransmitters which can cause the inflammation and burning sensation often associated with rosacea.
The new multi-centre double-blind randomized trial on 24 women of approximately 35 years of age over a 12- week period found that those on the antidepressants produced more of the proteins linked to regulating immune response activation that causes muscle contraction and can cause a rosacea flare as well as better insulin receptor signalling.
Sally, 54, a mum of three and former police officer from Wales, experienced her first flare up of rosacea almost ten years ago when she was subjected to a prolonged bullying campaign at work which caused her severe anxiety and stress.
“My rosacea was triggered due to the immense stress of being bullied out of my job as a police officer of almost thirty years. I was eventually diagnosed by my GP with stress-induced rosacea bought on by my ordeal,” says Sally.
“As a result of trying to deal with a truly horrendous situation at work, my skin broke out in red, swollen blotchy patches. I felt that the despair I felt inside but was trying to hide from people at work was manifesting itself all over my face for everyone to see. One of my colleagues made a jibe at me about being a bit old for acne, I was 45 at the time and had always had great skin, so it cut me to the bone.
Eventually I couldn’t cope and suffered from a period of acute depression and eventually had to take sick leave from work to try and recover.
The situation at work was at the point where I was almost about lose my job, but it eventually got addressed and I was re-located.
Unfortunately, there was no reprieve for my skin. When the doctor’s diagnosis sunk in with the realisation that this was a chronic skin condition that had no cure coupled with what I had just gone through at work, I can honestly say it was the traumatic period of my life.
After my diagnosis I was prescribed numerous treatments by my GP for my rosacea. Over time I was given medicated creams, gels, antihistamines and antibiotics but nothing worked. In fact, some treatments made my rosacea even more furious, and my skin got much worse. I was never offered anti-depressants for my skin.
My anxiety about my job turned into anxiety that I would never find a solution for my skin. By this time my skin was so bad I’d became very uncomfortable about being out in public and having to start work in a new department was awful when I felt so self-conscious of my face.
To my absolute relief I came across Kalme products while researching alternative products to medications for treating rosacea as I had given up on every rosacea treatment the doctor was giving me.
The Kalme products worked pretty much immediately. The redness dissipated within the first week and the pustules disappeared within a matter of weeks. The relief I felt was immense. It was actually life-changing and even to this day I see these products as one of the things that helped me feel like I was getting back control of my life again and I will be forever grateful for that.
Within a few months of using the Kalme products my skin had returned more or less back to normal and has stayed that way ever since because I use the products every day and would not dream of ever stopping. I will never forget how much the distress of rosacea having affected my life and I don’t want to ever risk a relapse.”
